Study Abroad in Agen, France

NIU College of Law offers one international program - located in Agen, France - as well as a selection of upper-level courses during the summer. Courses are taught in international and comparative law by NIU law school faculty in cooperation with the law faculty of the University of Bordeaux-Montesquieu IV.

A major strength of the Agen program is that it makes extensive use of French law faculty and practitioners. You are exposed to the study of law in the European fashion where the lecture/discussion mode predominates over the American case presentation method. The American faculty are present and participating when their French colleagues are lecturing.

Both academic and leisure field trips are planned as part of the program. Past academic trips have included court observation in both local and national courts (Agen and Paris), "behind the scenes" presentations at the French Senate and National Assembly in Paris, the French Supreme Court and visits to the national judicial school in Bordeaux. Past leisure trips have included visits to the mountains and the Atlantic beaches.

As part of the total experience of immersion into the study of law abroad, bilingual French law students may also accompany American law students on many field trips and social outings.

Law students from the University of Bordeaux-Montesquieu have also been visiting NIU since 2007.

Past Participant Testimonials

“The chance of a lifetime to experience an entirely different atmosphere in land, people, food, etc.”

"I would encourage students to participate in this program for the experience of living in the happiest city in France and for learning about French law from French avocats.”

“I thought the program was excellent. Deciding to go was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”